DE102024107807A1 - Carbon wear tester - Google Patents

Abstract

Carbon wear tester for testing and/or monitoring a degree of wear of at least one carbon brush (3a) of a current collector (3), wherein the carbon wear tester is arranged or can be arranged on a conductor line, wherein the carbon wear tester has at least one triggering element (2) and at least one signal generator, characterized in that the at least one triggering element (2) is arranged or can be arranged so as to be adjustable relative to the conductor line, wherein the signal generator (4a) detects the adjustment of the at least one triggering element (2), and that the triggering element (2) and the signal generator (4a) are connected to one another.

Description

A carbon wear tester for testing and/or monitoring the degree of wear of at least one carbon brush of a current collector, wherein the carbon wear tester is arranged or can be arranged on a conductor rail, wherein the carbon wear tester has at least one trigger element and at least one signal generator. The invention also relates to a conductor rail and a conductor rail system comprising such a carbon wear tester.

The brushes of a current collector are subject to wear as they move along a conductor line. Once they reach a certain level of wear, the brushes must be changed or replaced. Wear is subject to fluctuations and cannot always be accurately predicted. Furthermore, shutting down the system, for example, to manually check the brushes, is time-consuming and therefore expensive. Therefore, there is a fundamental need for brush testers that can monitor the degree of wear of a current collector's brushes during operation.

Carbon wear testers for testing and/or monitoring the degree of wear of pantograph brushes are available in various forms and on the market. However, these brush testers have various disadvantages, including space requirements, reliability, and/or flexibility.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved carbon brush tester which is particularly extremely compact and thus requires very little space.

This object is achieved with a carbon wear tester having the features of claim 1 in that the at least one triggering element is arranged or can be arranged so as to be adjustable relative to the conductor line, wherein the signal transmitter detects the adjustment of the at least one triggering element, and that the triggering element and the signal transmitter are connected to one another.

The triggering element can, for example, be arranged on the conductor rail so that it can be adjusted perpendicular to the contact surface of the conductor rail, either directly or indirectly, for example via an intermediate piece such as a bracket or a cover. The triggering element can then act as a trigger for the signal generator and can be activated, for example, by a current collector or a brush holder as the train passes by. If the contact direction along the conductor rail is horizontal, for example, the triggering element can be arranged on the conductor rail so that it can be adjusted vertically. The displacement travel of the triggering element can, for example, be just a few millimeters or less than one millimeter. It is sufficient if the triggering element can be displaced by the amount of the switching travel of the signal generator so that the signal generator can be triggered.

A current collector typically has a collector brush holder for a collector brush. According to the invention, the brush wear tester is arranged on the conductor rail in such a way that a current collector with a little or no worn collector brush passes the brush wear tester without the triggering element being activated. The collector brushes of a current collector are typically subjected to a force acting on the contact surface, so that the collector brush holder moves ever closer to the conductor rail as the degree of wear of the collector brush progresses. The collector brush wear tester according to the invention is arranged on the conductor rail in such a way that, for example, the collector brush holder or another component arranged thereon touches and adjusts the triggering element at a certain degree of wear, for example at a stop surface provided for this purpose.

Because the signal generator is connected to the trigger element, it moves along with the trigger element when the trigger element is adjusted. The signal generator can be designed to be activated by this and generate or emit a signal. In this way, the carbon wear tester signals that the brush has reached a certain level of wear.

In a multi-pole conductor rail, a carbon wear tester can be installed on the conductor rail for each pole or for specific poles. These are best arranged side by side along the conductor rail. If space is limited, the multiple carbon wear testers can also be arranged offset or one behind the other.

By choosing a correspondingly compact signal generator, the carbon wear tester can be designed to be extremely compact and thus space-saving.

Further advantages arise from the subclaims.

In one embodiment, the trigger element is rigidly connected to the signal generator. The signal generator is then moved by the same amount when the trigger element is adjusted or actuated. In this way, the switching travel of the signal generator can be adjusted very precisely and/or the degree of wear can be measured very precisely.

In a preferred embodiment, the signal generator acts mechanically and/or electromagnetically and, when actuated, sends a signal to an electronic device, a sensor and/or a data processing unit.

If the signal generator works mechanically, for example, an electrical circuit can be closed or opened when it is activated, so that a signal can be sent out and detected. The signal generator can also work inductively or magnetically, for example in the form of a coil that induces a current when it is brought close to another coil. The crucial thing is that the signal generator can send out a signal when it is activated. The signal can be electrical, for example. However, optical, acoustic or radio signals are also conceivable. The signal can be registered by electronics, a sensor and/or a data processing system and displayed to the user so that the user knows that the signal generator has been activated.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the signal generator is a switch or a push button which has at least two wings arranged in an articulated manner and at an angle to one another and a return spring, wherein the return spring connects the two wings to one another.

The two wings are each hinged to a suspension on the signal generator and connected to each other by a return spring. In a neutral position, the two wings point away from the signal generator at an angle and are held in this position by the return spring. Because the signal generator is connected to the trigger element, the button can also hold the trigger element of the carbon brush tester in position, for example, by the button pushing the trigger element away from a stop surface toward the conductor rail. Thus, the trigger element is held in a neutral, i.e., non-actuated, position by the button.

If the trigger element is adjusted or triggered, for example, by a pantograph, the force of the return spring can be overcome. The two wings can then be spread apart, for example, so that the button is triggered. As soon as the pantograph has moved further, the return spring can return the wings and thus the trigger element to their neutral position. This type of button allows for extremely short switching travels and thus an extremely space-saving design.

In such a switch, a tolerance can be provided in addition to the switching travel, so that after the wings spread and the switching travel has been overcome, the switch is not triggered immediately, or that some additional play is provided after triggering. This can, for example, provide and/or detect a tolerance range for the degree of wear of the carbon brush.

In another embodiment, the signal generator is arranged together with electronics on a circuit board, which is arranged or can be arranged on the trigger element. The signal generator can be soldered directly onto the circuit board or plugged onto it.

The circuit board can be held or attached to the trigger element, for example, by means of holding means arranged on the trigger element. Such holding means can be retaining lugs, clamping or locking means, or even screw or plug connections.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the trigger element has a receptacle for receiving or gripping the conductor rail. This allows the trigger element to be arranged directly on the conductor rail by inserting the conductor rail into the trigger element's receptacle.

In this embodiment, the receptacle can have an inner contour that corresponds, at least in part, to an outer contour of the conductor rail. For example, the inner contour of the receptacle can have a substantially rectangular cross-section, into which the likewise rectangular cross-section of the outer contour of the conductor rail fits. In order for the trigger element to be movable relative to the conductor rail, the receptacle must have some play relative to the conductor rail in at least one direction.

In a further embodiment, the receptacle can have a substantially U-shaped cross-section such that the triggering element at least partially encompasses the conductor line, wherein a contact surface of the conductor line remains free.

The release element can, for example, grip the conductor rail from below and have an upper slot-like opening that corresponds to the contact surface of the conductor rail. The release element can then grip the conductor rail from below, whereby the carbon brush can continue to grind along the contact surface and thereby through the slot-like opening of the trigger element. This arrangement further contributes to the extreme compactness of the carbon wear tester.

In a further embodiment, the inner contour of the receptacle can have straight side walls, with the straight side walls forming sliding surfaces for the outer contour of the conductor rail. The trigger element can then be used to actuate the signal transmitter along the sliding surfaces relative to the conductor rail when the trigger element is adjusted by the current collector. The movement of the trigger element is then guided by the sliding surfaces along the outer contour of the conductor rail.

In a further embodiment, the trigger element can be clipped, clamped, plugged, or screwed onto a conductor rail and/or can be slidably mounted or attached to a conductor rail perpendicular to the contact surface of the carbon brush. In this embodiment, the trigger element can be designed so that it can be retrofitted to an existing conductor rail. This makes the carbon brush tester extremely flexible and can be integrated into various existing conductor rail systems.

In a further preferred embodiment, the trigger element has stop surfaces for the current collector or a brush holder, or a stop surface arranged on the current collector. In this embodiment, the stop surface comes into contact with the current collector or a corresponding stop surface, for example, when the brush reaches a certain degree of wear and the current collector, the brush holder, or the stop surface has sunk accordingly. The trigger element is thereby displaced, and the signal generator is actuated.

In this embodiment, the stop surfaces of the trigger element can protrude beyond the conductor rail, pointing toward the current collector. Depending on how far the stop surfaces protrude beyond the conductor rail, the degree of wear at which the carbon wear tester is triggered and emits a signal can be adjusted.

In a further embodiment, the carbon wear tester has a stop surface for the signal generator, with the signal generator being arranged between the trigger element and the stop surface. The stop surface can, for example, be an additional plate against which the signal generator is pressed when the trigger element is moved. The plate can, for example, be arranged below the conductor rail.

However, it is also possible, in principle, for the signal generator to be activated by pressing it against an existing structure, such as a steel girder, scaffolding, or a conductor rail cladding. However, if the stop surface is formed by a separate component, such as a plate, the carbon brush tester can be arranged particularly flexibly at various points along the conductor rail without having to consider an existing structure as a stop surface.

In this embodiment, the stop surface can have at least one retaining element or can be connected to at least one retaining element with which the stop surface is or can be connected to the conductor rail. The stop surface can, for example, be formed by a plate that is screwed to two clamps or has these clamps with which the plate can be clamped to the conductor rail. However, other retaining elements such as screw, plug, snap, or adhesive connections are also conceivable.

It is particularly advantageous that the stop surface can be detachably connected to the conductor rail so that it can be removed if necessary, for example for maintenance, and allows access to the signal generator.

In a further embodiment, an output voltage is applied to a terminal of the carbon wear tester when the signal generator is in a neutral position, the output voltage decreasing when the signal generator is actuated.

This design allows cable breaks or other defects to be detected, as the carbon wear tester emits a signal as soon as the output voltage drops or as soon as no output voltage is present. In the opposite case, i.e., if the output voltage were to rise when the signal generator was activated, there would be a risk that a worn carbon brush would remain undetected, for example, if there was a defect in the power supply and/or a cable break. This is eliminated with this design.

The invention also relates to a conductor rail with a carbon wear tester as described above.

In one embodiment, the conductor rail has at least two conductor rail sections, each with one end, wherein the ends are arranged opposite one another and aligned with one another in a common triggering element.

In this design, two ends of a conductor rail can be connected to each other using the carbon wear tester. This also makes it particularly easy to pre-assemble conductor rail sections and insert them into existing conductor rails.

In a further embodiment, the two ends of the conductor rail sections in the triggering element can expand and/or contract relative to each other along their longitudinal direction.

The two ends of the conductor rail sections arranged in the trigger element can, for example, be mounted so that they can be displaced longitudinally within the trigger element. If the conductor rail sections expand or contract, for example due to temperature fluctuations, the distance between the two opposite ends changes. Nevertheless, the two ends remain connected via the trigger element. In this way, the carbon wear tester also serves as an expansion connector for conductor rails.

The invention also relates to a conductor rail system with at least one conductor rail according to the invention or a carbon wear tester according to the invention and with at least one current collector.

In one embodiment of the conductor rail system, the current collector has a brush holder, which has a stop surface for actuating the brush wear tester. The stop surface can, for example, interact with a corresponding stop surface of the trigger element. The stop surfaces can be coordinated and spaced apart such that a specific permissible degree of wear of the brush is set such that the brush wear tester emits a signal as soon as this specific degree of wear is reached or exceeded.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the conductor rail system according to the invention, the stop surface of the carbon brush holder is removed from a stop surface of the carbon wear tester when the carbon brush has not yet reached a certain degree of wear, and the stop surface of the carbon brush holder comes into contact with the stop surface of the carbon wear tester when the carbon brush exceeds a certain degree of wear.

The permissible degree of wear of the carbon brush can be adjusted by the arrangement of the stop surfaces, the shape of the trigger element and the length of the switching travel.

In a further preferred embodiment, the conductor rail system comprises more than one conductor rail, with a trigger element arranged on more than one conductor rail. For example, a trigger element can be arranged on each conductor rail, so that all collector brushes of a current collector can be monitored or tested simultaneously and independently of one another.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. The invention is, of course, not limited to this exemplary embodiment.

• 1 eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Ausschnitts eines erfindungsgemäßen Schleifleitungssystems;
• 2a eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kohleverschleißtesters mit einem Stromabnehmer mit Schleifkohle mit einem geringen Abnutzungsgrad;
• 2b eine Seitenansicht des gleichen Kohleverschleißtesters wie in 2a mit einem Stromabnehmer mit einer Schleifkohle mit einem höheren Abnutzungsgrad als in 2a;
• 3a einen Querschnitt durch den Kohleverschleißtester von 2a;
• 3b einen Querschnitt durch den Kohleverschleißtester von 2b;
• 4a eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kohleverschleißtesters;
• 4b eine Draufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Kohleverschleißtesters;
• 4c eine Unteransicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kohleverschleißtesters;
• 5 ein Beispiel für die Elektronik einer Platine eines Kohleverschleißtesters.

They show:

• 1 an exploded view of a section of a conductor rail system according to the invention;
• 2a a side view of a carbon wear tester according to the invention with a current collector with a carbon brush with a low degree of wear;
• 2b a side view of the same carbon wear tester as in 2a with a current collector with a carbon brush with a higher degree of wear than in 2a ;
• 3a a cross-section through the carbon wear tester of 2a ;
• 3b a cross-section through the carbon wear tester of 2b ;
• 4a a side view of a carbon wear tester according to the invention;
• 4b a plan view of a carbon wear tester according to the invention;
• 4c a bottom view of a carbon wear tester according to the invention;
• 5 an example of the electronics of a carbon wear tester circuit board.

1 shows an exploded view of a conductor rail system according to the invention with a carbon wear tester according to the invention. The conductor rail system has a conductor rail with a first and a second conductor rail section 1a, 1b. The ends of the two conductor rail sections 1a, 1b can be inserted into a receptacle 2a of a trigger element 2 of the carbon wear tester. 1 Three basically identical conductor rails are shown, each with a current collector 3. The conductor rail sections 1a, 1b can each be plugged into a trigger element 2. For the sake of clarity, the corresponding The end areas of the components shown are provided with the same reference numerals.

Of course, more or less parallel conductor rails can also be equipped with a carbon wear tester according to the invention. In particular, multiple conductor rails for different phases and an additional PE conductor can be provided. A carbon wear tester according to the invention can also be plugged or pushed onto a continuous conductor rail instead of two opposing conductor rail sections 1a, 1b. However, the arrangement shown with two conductor rail sections 1a, 1b can enable simplified assembly.

The inner contour of the receptacle 2a of the trigger element 2 essentially corresponds to the outer contour of the conductor rails, with the inner contour of the receptacles 2a having straight side walls 2c that are longer than the side walls of the outer profile of the conductor rails. The side walls 2c thus serve as sliding surfaces along which the trigger element 2 can slide orthogonally to the sliding direction S of the current collectors 3, i.e., in the direction N.

The 1 The upper ends of the trigger element 2 have stop surfaces 2b. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop surfaces 2b have a contoured profile. The contoured profile is formed from several periodically arranged recesses and has proven advantageous with regard to the wear of the stop surfaces 2b.

In the 1 A circuit board 4 is shown below each trigger element 2. A signal generator in the form of a button 4a and the associated control or signaling electronics are arranged on each circuit board 4. The circuit boards 4 are connected via a line 4b. The circuit boards are supplied with voltage via line 4b, and the output signal is sent to an electronics unit and/or a data processing unit (not shown).

The circuit boards 4 with the buttons 4a are arranged directly on the trigger elements 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger elements 2 have retaining lugs 2d that form a receptacle for the circuit boards. The circuit boards 4 can either be fastened in the receptacle, for example, glued or screwed, or simply pushed or inserted. Of course, other receptacles and/or fastenings are also conceivable, such as a clamping mechanism, a plug-in connection, and/or a snap-in connection. The decisive factor is that the signal generator can be arranged on the trigger element 2 in an extremely space-saving and compact manner and can be moved with it.

In the 1 A stop surface in the form of a plate 5 for the buttons 4a is arranged below the circuit boards 4. The plate 5 can be connected to holding elements 5b by means of screws 5a and/or rivets. The holding elements 5b have clamping means 5c with which the holding means 5b and thus the plate 5 can be connected to the conductor rails. The plate 5 is then immobile relative to the conductor rails, in particular in the direction N. The clamping means 5c allow the connection to the conductor rails to be released if necessary. In the assembled state, the buttons 4a are arranged between the circuit board 4 and the plate 5. The plate 5 forms a stop surface for the buttons 4a due to its attachment to the conductor rails.

The current collectors 3 are mounted on a current collector trolley (not shown) and each have a collector brush 3a. The collector brushes 3a are mounted in a collector brush holder 3b. The collector brush holder 3c has a stop surface 3c. As soon as the collector brush 3a has reached a certain degree of wear, the stop surface 3c comes into contact with the corresponding stop surfaces 2b of the trigger element 2, so that the buttons 4a are finally actuated. The functionality is explained in more detail below.

The 2a shows the assembled carbon wear tester in a side view. The conductor rail sections 1a, 1b are inserted into the receptacles of the trigger element 2. The plate 5 is attached to the conductor rail by means of the holding means 5b and forms a stop surface for the sensor 4a.

The button 4a is arranged on the circuit board 4. The circuit board 4 is held directly on the trigger element 2 by the retaining lugs 2d and is immobile relative to the trigger element 2. The button 4a has two wings 4a' arranged at an angle to each other. A tension spring 4a'' is arranged between the wings 4a', which holds the wings 4a' and thus the trigger element 2 in the position shown.

The stop surfaces 2b of the trigger element 2 project beyond the upper edge of the conductor rails (shown in the figure). The brushes 3a of the current collectors 3 are arranged within the conductor rails in the figure and are in contact with their conductor tracks. The current collector 3 moves along the conductor rail in the grinding direction S. The brush 3a has not yet reached a certain degree of wear in the figure, so the stop surface 3c The contact surface 2b of the carbon brush holder 3b does not touch the stop surface 2b of the trigger element 2 when passing the current collector 3. In this configuration, the trigger element 2 remains in the position shown when passing the current collector 3. The button 2a is therefore not actuated, and the carbon brush wear tester does not emit a signal.

The 2b shows the same carbon wear tester as the 2a , however, the carbon brush 3a in 2b a higher degree of wear than in 2b . Accordingly, the carbon brush holder 3b has lowered. The stop surface 3c of the carbon brush holder 3b is now at the same height as the stop surface 2b of the trigger element 2. However, the carbon brush 2b is not yet worn to the extent that the trigger element 2 is pressed in the direction N towards the plate 5. The button 4a with the wings 4a' and the tension spring 4a'' are in the same position as in 2a . If the carbon brush 3a continues to wear during operation, the stop surface 3c of the carbon brush holder 3b presses the trigger element 2 along the direction N towards the plate 5. The two wings 4a' are pressed apart against the spring force of the tension spring 4a'' so that the angle between the two wings 4a' widens. The length of the wings 4' and their angle to one another define the switching travel of the button 4a. As soon as the switching travel of the button 4a is exceeded at a certain degree of wear of the carbon brush 3a, the button 4a triggers a signal which is forwarded via the electronics of the circuit board 4 and the line 4b (not shown) to an electronics or data processing unit. In this way, a user can be informed that the carbon brush of a pantograph has reached a certain degree of wear.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cable 4b is soldered to the terminal 4b' of the circuit board 4. Of course, other connections are also conceivable, such as terminal connections or plugs and/or a connection with strain relief.

The 3a shows a cross section through the carbon wear tester of 2a The brush 3a exhibits a low degree of wear and is in contact with the conductor rail profiles 1a' of the conductor rail 1a. The stop surface 3c of the brush holder 3b is not in contact with the stop surface 2b of the trigger element 2. The button 4a is therefore in its neutral position between the circuit board 4 and the plate 5.

As the degree of wear of the carbon brush 3a increases, the stop surfaces 3c and 2b come closer and closer to each other until the stop surfaces 3c, 2b finally come into contact with each other at a certain degree of wear of the carbon brush 3a, as shown in 3b is shown.

The 3b shows a cross section through the carbon wear tester analogous to the 2b . The carbon brushes 3a show a significantly higher degree of wear than in 3a The stop surfaces 3c, 2b are in contact with each other. As wear progresses, the release elements 3 are pushed in the direction N toward plate 5, and the buttons 4a are actuated. This sends a signal via line 4b. The connector 4c symbolically represents the connection to an electronics and/or data processing system (not shown).

The 4a shows a side view of a carbon brush tester without a conductor line. The probe 4a with the two wings 4a' and the tension spring 4a'' are in their neutral position. 4b shows the same carbon wear tester as 4a in a top view. The 4c shows the same carbon wear tester in a bottom view.

The 5 shows an example of the electronics arranged on circuit board 4. Of course, other circuits and variations of the circuit shown are also possible.

The button 4a used in the exemplary embodiment has a low nominal voltage of a few volts, such as 5V. The input voltage +V applied to the circuit board, for example, 15-35V, in particular 24V, is therefore minimized by the voltage divider R3, R4. To be able to detect, for example, a cable break or other defect, the circuit in the exemplary embodiment shown is designed such that the output voltage V_out is applied to the output of the circuit board in the illustrated open switching state of the button 4a. The switch is thus "normally open," and the output voltage V_out is equal to the input voltage +V.

As soon as the button 4a is pressed due to a worn carbon brush, the minimized voltage is applied to the transistor T, which is then switched on. As a result, the input and output voltages are pulled to 0V. This voltage drop serves as a signal that the button 4a has been pressed and that the carbon brush is correspondingly worn.

If another defect is present, such as a cable break in the power supply, the carbon wear tester will also detect and report this through a voltage drop. Conversely, this means that a worn out grinding carbon cannot be overlooked by an unnoticed defective carbon wear tester.

Claims (22)

Carbon wear tester for testing and/or monitoring a degree of wear of at least one carbon brush (3a) of a current collector (3), wherein the carbon wear tester is arranged or can be arranged on a conductor line, wherein the carbon wear tester has at least one triggering element (2) and at least one signal generator, characterized in that the at least one triggering element (2) is arranged or can be arranged so as to be adjustable relative to the conductor line, wherein the signal generator (4a) detects the adjustment of the at least one triggering element (2), and that the triggering element (2) and the signal generator (4a) are connected to one another. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the trigger element (2) is rigidly connected or connectable to the signal generator (4a). Carbon wear tester according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the signal generator (4a) acts mechanically and/or electromagnetically and, when actuated, sends a signal to an electronic device, a sensor and/or a data processing device. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 3 , characterized in that the signal generator (4a) is a switch or a button (4a) which has at least two wings (4a') arranged in an articulated manner and at an angle to one another and a return spring (4a''), the return spring (4a'') connecting the two wings (4a') to one another. Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the signal generator is arranged together with an electronics on a circuit board (4), wherein the circuit board is arranged or can be arranged on the triggering element (2), in particular by means of holding means (2d) arranged on the triggering element (2). Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger element (2) has a receptacle (2a) for receiving or gripping the conductor line. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 6 , characterized in that the receptacle (2a) has an inner contour which corresponds at least in sections to an outer contour of the conductor line. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the receptacle (2a) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, such that the triggering element (2) at least partially encompasses the conductor line, wherein a sliding surface of the conductor line remains free. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 7 or 8 , characterized in that the inner contour has straight side walls (2c), wherein the straight side walls (2c) form sliding surfaces for the outer contour of the conductor line. Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger element (2) can be clipped, clamped, plugged or screwed onto a conductor line, in particular subsequently, and/or can be or is mounted on a conductor line so as to be displaceable perpendicular to the grinding surface of the carbon. Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the triggering element (2) has at least one stop surface (2b) for the current collector (3) or a carbon brush holder (3b) or a stop surface (3c) arranged on the current collector (3). Carbon wear tester according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the stop surfaces (2b) project beyond the conductor line in such a way that they project in the direction of the current collector (3). Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carbon wear tester has a stop surface, in particular in the form of a plate (5), for the signal generator, wherein the signal generator is arranged between the trigger element (2) and the stop surface. Carbon wear tester according to Claim 13 , characterized in that the stop surface has at least one holding element (5b) or can be connected to at least one holding element (5b) with which the stop surface is or can be connected to the conductor line, in particular detachably. Carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an output voltage (V_out) is applied to a terminal (4b') of the carbon wear tester when the signal generator (4a) is in a neutral position, and that the output voltage (V_out) drops when the signal generator (4a) is actuated. Conductor line with a carbon wear tester according to one of the preceding claims. Conductor line to Claim 16 , characterized in that the conductor line has at least two conductor line sections (1a, 1b), each with one end, wherein the ends are arranged opposite one another and aligned with one another in a common triggering element (3). Conductor line to Claim 17 , characterized in that the two ends of the conductor rail sections in the triggering element (3) can expand and/or contract relative to one another along their longitudinal direction. Conductor rail system with at least one conductor rail according to one of the Claims 16 until 18 and with at least one pantograph (3). Conductor rail system according to Claim 19 , characterized in that the current collector (3) has a carbon brush holder (3b), wherein the carbon brush holder (3b) has a stop surface (3c) for actuating the carbon wear tester. Conductor rail system according to Claim 20 , characterized in that the stop surface (3c) of the carbon brush holder (3b) is removed from a stop surface (2b) of the carbon wear tester when the carbon brush (3a) has not yet reached a certain degree of wear, and in that the stop surface (3c) of the carbon brush holder (3b) comes into contact with the stop surface (2b) of the carbon wear tester when the carbon brush (3a) exceeds a certain degree of wear. Conductor rail system according to one of the Claims 19 until 21 , characterized in that the conductor line system has more than one conductor line, wherein a triggering element (2) is arranged on more than one conductor line, in particular on each conductor line.